Family outraged after police allegedly brushed off call about car break-in

ST. LOUIS (KMOV) -- A St. Louis family says it is shocked after a thief tried to take their car Thursday morning, and became outraged when they said police wouldn't respond to the scene.

D'angelo Robinson found the family sedan, a Crown Victoria, with the lock punched out and the steering column cracked open.

The car might have been stolen if not for a ford anti-theft device.

But Robinson's call to St. Louis police was met with this message: We can't respond because it's shift change.

"Luckily I wasn't in a dying situation, where I really needed them for a life-threatening situation. But my question was what if," said Robinson. "I pay my taxes, I'm a good citizen. Who can I call when stuff like this happens?"

St. Louis police responded to News 4 inquiries by emailing their department policy. It states that larcenies don't require a response and police reports can be taken by phone.